NOTRE DAME RECRUIT MATT JAMES DIES IN FALL FROM BALCONY

Picture courtesy of UHND.com

Tragic news out of Panama City, Florida where yesterday star Notre Dame offensive lineman recruit Matt James died after falling off a third-story balcony at a Days Inn while vacationing for spring break. James was set to enroll at Notre Dame in two months and was just one week short of his 18th birthday. According to police reports he died instantly.

“The Notre Dame football program is in a state of disbelief and incredible sadness with the news of this tragic event,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said in a press statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Matt James in this most trying of times.”
“On a personal level, I got to know Matt quite well over the past few years and he was a wonderful young man from a great family. Matt was an extremely talented person who was very bright and possessed a great dry sense of humor. He could not wait to join the Notre Dame family,” Kelly said. “My prayers and deepest condolences go out to the James family as well as the St. Xavier High School and Cincinnati communities.”

James by all accounts was an excellent person as well as a football player. He was selected to the first team All-USA Today Team and was a Top 100 recruit according to Rivals.com. The Cincinnati recruit picked Notre Dame over Ohio State on signing day two months ago and was considered a major recruiting coup for new coach Brian Kelly. Toxicology tests and an investigation has been launched into the cause of James death.

R.I.P. MATT JAMES

KEVIN GARNETT FELT LIKE THEY WERE PLAYING DUKE LAST NIGHT

Kevin Garnett: "We were playing Michael Fucking Jordan!"

Ok, KG was not referencing the Duke Basketball team. He was talking about Kevin Durant and the fact that Durant went 15 for 15 from the free throw line last night. Durant was getting to the line like Duke gets to the line. And both are fucking perimeter ballers.

I can understand KG's frustration. You feel like you playing 8 against 5. But the Celtics blow. Hear me KG? You guys are old and washed up.

The Atlanta Hawks are the hottest team in the East right now. They blew out the Lakerslast night at home. With less than 10 games to go to the playoffs you better recognize the Hawks as the favorite. Forget the Cavs and the Magic. They have no depth. Put your money down on Atlanta today and thank me later.

Video HT: Deadspin

BRIAN KELLY THINKS THE IRISH STINK

I'm sure some if not most of these words spoken today by Brian Kelly will be used to motivate the Notre Dame football team but they are also very telling to the current state of the program. The program has stunk. The players have not been motivated.

Kelly at the very least has the understanding that to strap on the blue and gold on Saturdays is a privilege and something you have to fight for every day in practice. It's not something you are entitled to just because you currently hold a scholarship. Kelly is bringing back fond memories of Lou Holtz. Just listening to him speak makes me want to run through a gauntlet and tackle somebody, anybody wearing the opposite uniform. For the last 15 years Notre Dame football has been uninspired. I'm starting to get that feeling it will all change real quick.

The passion of Notre Dame football has been bottled too long. It's time for Kelly to show the boys how to shake it up and make it explode on game days through perfect practice. I'm a 100% on board and can not wait to see guys like Anthony McDonald, Zeke Motta, Jamoris Slaughter, Danny McCarthy, Manti Te'o, Kapron Lewis-Moore, Ethan Johnson, Darius Fleming and others on the defense to show the opposition what it feels like to experience snot bubbles once you fuck with the Irish.

Go Irish!

Video HT: IrishIllustrated.com

FLIP MURRAY WITH THE CIRCUS SHOT

Sad to say but this might be the most impressive play for the Chicago Bulls since Michael Jordan hit the game winner against the Jazz in the NBA Finals over 12 years ago.

Video HT: HotClicks

TOM VERDUCCI LIKENS THE JASON HEYWARD HYPE TO ALBERT PUJOLS

Just when you think you can't get enough of J-Hey hype this spring none other than Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci throws some more gasoline on the fire as Heyward is his #1 reason he is looking forward to this MLB season...

“The Braves’ right fielder created the most spring training buzz since Albert Pujols tore up Cardinals camp in 2001. Which would you rather have when it comes to the NL Rookie of the Year Award: Heyward or the field? I’m not taking the field, not even a field that includes Strasburg and Chapman. Heyward seems like a lock for 20 home runs. Not so impressed by that number? The dude is 20 years old. Only 13 players have ever hit 20 homers at or before their age 20 season, and that includes only two 20/20 Club members in the past 31 years: a couple of guys named Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez.Forget the Fred McGriff comparisons; Heyward is far more athletic. Forget the Willie McCovey comparisons; McCovey was only a .270 career hitter. Forget the Willie Stargell comparisons; Stargell never walked even 90 times. Just let Heyward be who he will be, and enjoy a very unique player.”

Just from listening and reading the scouting reports on Heyward I think the player I would compare him to is Frank Thomas. Basically he sounds like the left handed version of The Big Hurt. Big athletic guy who resembles more football player than baseball and who has a great eye for the strike zone. I don't expect Heyward to be a 40 home run a season guy but I think he can be a consistent 25-35 home runs a year with an OBP of .400 plus. Future Hall of Famer in my mind. As Bobby Cox would say: "Go get em Kid!"

KATY PERRY SAYS "AHHHH"

WWTDD has this fascinating picture of Katy Perry saying hello to Tommy Lee. She seems like a nice girl.

THIS IS WHY YOU DON'T BET ON SPORTS

Lesson be learned kids. Once you make a bet on sports you are "going down" a slippery slope....a very dark one. Black to be exact.

ERIN ANDREWS DOES THE FOXTROT

These two just need to stop with the games and just release a sex tape. Seriously. The sexual tension is unreal. If Erin Andrews wants her career to go beyond ESPN she needs to strip down and start doing the horizontal shuffle in between the sheets on camera. It's the American way. You can do it Erin! It's all about making your dreams come true. Or mine. Whatever.

MONDAYS SUCK BUT THIS SHOULD CHEER YOU UP

HAPPY SLAPPY MONDAY! I went 0.0 on my Final Four picks and have absolutely no chance of even finishing in the top 15. Fuck it. We always have boobies!

THIS HOCKEY COACH HAS HULK LIKE TENDENCIES

Isn't it ironic the coach's name is Jim Playfair? With that kind of last name you know he has been getting shit his whole life. It comes with the territory. All those incessant chants from childhood he suppressed and bottled deep down in his soul finally exploded. In other words don't fuck with guys with a last name consisting of FAIR. You might unleash their inner demon. Just saying.

Video HT: Jeff

THE JASON HEYWARD AKA J-HEY KID ERA BEGINS

David O'Brien of the AJC was the first to report today that the Jason Heyward era in Atlanta is officially beginning on April 5th. Let the legend begin...

The date is March 26, 2010 and it’s one to remember. J-Hey Kid made it to the majors.

Jason Heyward was called into manager Bobby Cox’s office about 8:45 a.m. on Friday morning in Braves camp and told he would be on the Opening Day roster.

“I said ‘I’m delighted to tell you that you’re on the team, Jason, simply because it makes us a better team,’” a beaming Cox relayed Friday morning from the Braves dugout.

Heyward will be the Braves starting right fielder on Opening Day. As chipper as Cox sounded, Heyward was just as cool.

“Not surprised, not relieved,” Heyward said when asked for his reaction, after batting practice. “It’s just says ‘Let’s go.’ I’ve got less than a week’s time to get ready for the season.”

“It was cool,” Heyward said. “It was awesome. Never experienced it before. It won’t happen again. It was a great feeling.”

Heyward automatically makes the Braves a much better team on Opening Day. The Braves outfield last season was one of the worst in the majors when it came to offensive production. Jeff Francoeur was a disaster and shipped up to Flushing Toilet New York and Garrett Anderson was at best a streaky hitter playing his final days of his once distinguished career. With Heyward you get the most highly touted and hyped hitter to come up to the majors since A-Rod and Griffey Jr. As a 20 year old the 2009 Minor League Player of the Year will be expected to produce immediately. This is Bobby Cox's farewell season and the whole Braves organization is hoping to send Bobby off in style by making the playoffs. To make the playoffs the Braves will need to score a lot more runs then they did last season and The J-Hey Kid will be a major reason for or against them making it for the first time since 2005.

Either way Opening Day in Atlanta should be exciting. The Lovable Losers come to town in what should be a standing room only crowd at The Ted. The J-Hey Kid Era begins. Now that will put a smile on your face if you are a Bravos fan.

FOR SHITS AND GIGGLES

HT: Kevin

THE RANT WRITER

I never knew this guy wrote the Joe Namath "I wanna kiss you!" rant. I thought Namath was actually drunk that night. Amazing. The writer's name is Charlie Hoard and he might be my hero...

Gamechangers Ep. 1: The Rant Writer from Ty Burrell

JOSH SMITH BRINGS DOWN THE HOUSE

If you don't get chills then you are a fucking ra-tard. Josh Smith just broke the Orlando Magic's back with this slam. The playoffs are right around the corner. J-Smooth and company are going to the Finals. Fuck Lebron. Fuck Dwight Howard. And definitely fuck the Boston Celtics.

URBAN MEYER SEEMS TO BE DOING WELL

So much for Florida head coach Urban Meyer taking some time off to get himself better. Orlando Sentinel beat writer Jeremy Fowler touched a nerve with Meyer when he quoted Gators receiver Deonte Thompson on the differences between Tim Tebow at QB and the new guy, John Brantley:

"You never know with Tim," Thompson said. "You can bolt, you think he's running but he'll come up and pass it to you. You just have to be ready at all times. With Brantley, everything's with rhythm, time. You know what I mean, a real quarterback."

Apparently putting a quote that is more than likely out of context into a newspaper per verbatim is fighting words for Urban. You know what? I kind of like it. Don't get me wrong, Urban is an asshole for calling Fowler a "bad guy." But I believe his players (I was going to say student-athletes but this is big boy football in the SEC and students be damned) and their parents can respect Urban for sticking up and protecting their boys even when there is no evidence of attacking. Players want to play for a guy who has their back. Urban has their back....side. Sorry I couldn't resist the childhood humor.

Is Urban a dick? No doubt.

Is Urban a liar? For sure.

Is Urban a great coach? The best in college football in my opinion.

By the way was it just me or were you hoping Fowler would have a follow up question for Urban to completely blow his gasket. Something condenscending like this: "Urban what does your doctor think about you acting like a complete douchebag in front of the media?"

Here is hoping Fowler is one of the ten people who actually reads this blog and follows up with Urban. This video of Urbie's meltdown is why blogs were created. Thanks Urban!

ERIN ANDREWS ON DANCING WITH THE STARS

Is there any doubt that Maksim Chmerkovskiy has nailed Erin Andrews in every way possible by now? I mean that is the whole reason why you get on the show right? To nail your partner is priority one. Second priority is the fame involved in it. Sex wins. Always.

"Another valuable lesson for the kids. You are welcome."-Tiger Woods

I WONDER WHO TOLD TIM TEBOW TO STFU?

PROFOOTBALLTALK.COM has this great story from the Scouting Combine...

As we've mentioned once or twice, quarterback Tim Tebow's habit of openly expressing his religious beliefs could potentially rub folks the wrong way, especially in a locker room of grown men who choose to keep their beliefs to themselves, who don't share his beliefs at all, and/or who only want to hear "God bless" after they have sneezed.

We're told that Tebow already has gotten a taste of the resistance he might face at the next level.

At the Scouting Combine, the Wonderlic exam is administered to players in groups. The 12-minute test is preceded by some brief instructions and comments from the person administering the test.

Per a league source, after the person administering the test to Tebow's group had finished, Tebow made a request that the players bow their heads in prayer before taking the 50-question exam.

Said one of the other players in response: "Shut the f--k up." Others players in the room then laughed.

Now that is some funny shit. Listen, I understand some people have strong feelings about their religion. But don't bring your religion into sports and force it onto others. I always got uncomfortable right before a game when some of my teammates would ask me to join in a prayer. The thoughts that raced through my head go a little like this: "Dude, God doesn't give a shit about you or this team. Let's just play some damn ball!" But then of course I never had the balls to say this out loud because I'm a pussy. But whomever told Tebow to "Shut the fuck up!" deserves a pat on the back or at least a fist bump because they said exactly what all of us wanted to say but just didn't have the courage because of fears of religion persecution.

After all, just because the Bible is the greatest selling fiction book of all-time doesn't mean I'm going to start mapping my sports life around it.

MIKE HOLMGREN HATES JIMMY CLAUSEN

New Cleveland Browns GM Mike Holmgren is a huge fan of mustache rides but not Notre Dame quarterbacks. First he trades away Brady Quinn to the Denver Broncos and now he shits all over the notion of Jimmy Clausen being a Brown...

As for the second-ranked quarterback in the draft, Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame, Holmgren was characteristically honest.

"I wish I liked him more," he said. "You know how you have a type of player that you like? It's not scientific. People like him a lot. He'll go high. But it would be hard for me [to take him]."

Apparently Holmgren is in love with Sam Bradford but thinks he goes #1 to the Rams. I'm sorry but I don't see the fascination with Bradford. He's coming off surgery to his THROWING SHOULDER and played almost exclusively out of the shotgun at Oklahoma. The kid is going to take some time to recover from both. I have my doubts with Clausen too but I think at this point he is the safer bet. Jimmy may be an asshole but so are a lot of QB's. I met Joe Montana once on Notre Dame's campus and he seemed like a prick to me. But guess what? It doesn't matter because Montana won Super Bowls. I'm not saying Clausen is going to win big time in the NFL because God knows he didn't win shit at Notre Dame but the kid has an edge that Bradford doesn't. He's been through the shit and got hammered at ND for every little thing and still he put up an amazing season in 2009 without a consistent running game or pass protection.

But honestly who gives a shit. The Rams are going to take Sam Bradford at #1. Hilarious.

TIGER WOODS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ESPN

Well after watching this I think we can all safely assume that Tiger Woods is a victim of spousal abuse. Elin beats the shit out of him. Tiger is in denial. It's sad. Poor guy. No wonder he stuck his Buddhist dick in so many orifices...."GET IN THE HOLE!"

AL HORFORD SAYS "HOW'S MY SHIT TASTE TIM DUNCAN?"

The Atlanta Hawks clinced a playoff spot last night with a 114-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Hawks power forward Al Horford made sure Timmy Duncan knew who's ass to kiss once the playoffs start. That is right folks. The Hawks are going to come out of the Eastern Conference this playoff season and take on either the Los Angeles Lakers or Denver Nuggets in the Finals How do I know this you ask? Because mother fuckers I got mad skillz at predicting future bball champions. Take for instance the NCAA Tournament. I had Kansas winning the whole thing. And last time I looked they were going to beat the shit out of Northern Iowa in the second round. Ain't no fucking way they lose to a bunch of pasty Iowa ballers.

So just go ahead and put your life savings on the Hawks. You earned it.